Mossbourne Guide to your UCAS Application

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE AN EASY TO FOLLOW UCAS PROCESS CHART:   http://www.ucas.com/documents/ucasguides/appflow2012.pdf

       

Decision time comes early at Mossbourne, and for good reason. Competition for university courses is fierce. So, we begin guiding students through their choices during their first term. On this page we have provided helpful and informative links for students, parents and carers.

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE CONTENTS THE UCAS PROCESS EXPLAINED UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS TASTER COURSES UNIVERSITY EVENTS SUMMER AND EASTER SCHOOLS GAP YEAR/WORK EXPERIENCE/INTERNSHIPS USEFUL ONLINE RESOURCES

 

The UCAS Process

Higher education offers a diverse range of courses and qualifications, such as

• first degrees
• higher national diplomas
• foundation degrees.

 

Many courses take place in universities, but plenty are also taught at higher education colleges, specialist art institutions and agricultural colleges. You can choose to study different courses depending on your preferences: there are thousands of options available that can complement your skills and interests.

Why Choose Higher Education?

• Many higher education courses offer a vocational programme that is directly related to particular work areas, such as accountancy, sports science and teaching.
• A higher education qualification is essential for some careers like medicine, chartered engineering and architecture.
• A degree or HND can improve your chances of getting a fulfilling job and your financial potential.
• Universities and colleges bring together students from a variety of backgrounds. This interaction can strengthen your understanding of different cultures and beliefs.
• Higher education develops important transferable skills, such as numeracy, communication and information technology, which can give you an edge in the fast-changing world of employment.
• If the course includes seminars, you can use this time to challenge each others' views in a neutral and stimulating environment.

 

The Mossbourne UCAS Timeline

January to June of year 12

• Research courses and universities online:  consider subject area, courses, institutions, career, gap year
• Read prospectuses – find them in the library and order up to 10 of your own from
• www.prospectusuk.com
• Go to university  open days (students are allowed 2 days out of school for this purpose)

 

 

June of year 12

• Register on the UCAS website (you will be given a personal identification number - keep it safe! Type the number into your phone or email it to yourself)

 

 

July onwards

 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE AN EARLY APPLICATION TO UCAS BECAUSE:   Many universities start making offers as soon as they receive applications Courses may get filled early and some universities start closing courses or offering higher grade Once your application has been sent off and out of the way you can concentrate solely on your WORK!

 

 

University Open Days

Don’t forget you will need to complete a University Visits Authorisation Form if you need to miss school to attend any of open days. You also need to inform your teachers and catch up on any work missed.

A full listing of all University Open Days is online at www.opendays.com. Booking is necessary for many events and places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

 

Taster Courses

UNIVERSITY TASTER COURSES

This programme offers a tremendous opportunity to experience life as a university student, in your chosen subject area(s). More than 20 London universities participate in the programme together offering over 150 different taster courses in 70 different subject areas.

There is no charge to attend these courses, but places tend to fill up very quickly.  Early application is therefore essential.

Full details and booking information are available online at www.london.ac.uk/tasters. A hard copy of the courses brochure is also available to browse - See Ms Borton

 

University Events

Pure Potential

Pure Potential Sixth events are aimed at bright state school students who have the potential to achieve 3 Bs or above and will be applying to university. At a PP Sixth event your students will:

*  Find out how to choose the right course and university
• *  Learn how to write an outstanding personal statement 
• *  Develop confidence and communication skills for interviews
• *  Understand student finance, student loans, bursaries, budgeting and part-time jobs 
• *  Discover what work experience they should be doing 
• *  Meet potential employers to make a positive early impression

There is also the opportunity for students to meet potential employers in a range of careers including medicine, law, accountancy and business. “Over a third of the students we help end up at Russell Group universities, and over three-quarters end up at a Times Top 50 university.” 

The 2012 dates:

UCL - Friday 29th June

Imperial College, London Monday 9th June

 

More information on the events can be found on our website www.purepotential.org/events

 

SUMMER AND EASTER SCHOOLS

Sutton Trust Summer Schools are funded by the Sutton Trust with the generous support of its partners and host universities, the week long summer schools are designed to give bright students from non-privileged homes a taste of life at a leading university.

http://www.suttontrust.com/summer-schools/

Free Summer schools run by Oxford University

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/working_with_schools_and_colleges/uniq/new_summer_school.html

Look here for masterclasses run by Cambridge University

http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/masterclasses/  

Queen Mary, University of London is one of our university partners and they offer us masterclasses and some spring and summer schools. These aim to give students a chance to have an in-depth experience of Queen Mary. Summer schools typically last a week, with students taking part in a wide range of classes, workshops, field trips and other activities as an introduction to learning and teaching methods at university. They face new challenges and learn about the social side of university life. Summer schools are supported by a trained team of student ambassadors - current undergraduate and postgraduate students who provide first-hand advice and guidance about courses, progression routes and what studying at university is really like.

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/schools/educationliaison/wp/summerschools/index.html

 YOUNG JOURNALISTS' ACADEMY

This is organised by Journalism Education in partnership with The Times.

 

This is an excellent opportunity for students who are thinking about obtaining a career in the media,

As a previous student said: ‘The opportunity to join the summer school was one I couldn’t miss, as it would get the ball rolling on my journalism career.’

The programme is open to 16- to 18-year-old London state school pupils who have the passion and the guts, but not ‘the right contacts’, to break into journalism. It is ideal for any student who is interested in a career in the media. The aim of the summer school is to offer a route into the competitive field of journalism. For more information about the programme, to download the brochure and to access the application form, please visit www.yja.org.uk. 

Successful candidates will get a unique chance to meet some of Britain's most renowned journalists, to participate in media training workshops and to visit the headquarters of high profile media institutions. Past speakers include Decca Aitkenhead (The Guardian), Daniel Finkelstein (The Times), Simon Newman (Reuters), Simon Nixon (Wall Street Journal) and Dean Piper (Sunday Mirror). 

(see: http://www.yja.org.uk/index.php/site/apply) or contact Patrick Hayes on his email enquiries@yja.org.uk

ART, MEDIA AND DESIGN SUMMER SCHOOL

For students wanting to apply to higher education for Art, Design  and Media there is a summer school held at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. They will also give advice on how to present the best portfolio. See Ms Borton for an application form.

 

SUBJECT SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Engineering

The Smallpeice Trust is an independent educational charity that run STEM and engineering taster courses. They also offer bursaries for aspiring engineers

http://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/

 

WhyNotChemEng is a website devoted to information on Chemical Engineering. It offers advice on work experience, career opportunities and offers taster courses

http://www.whynotchemeng.com/

Art and Design

Courses run by Central St Martins on all aspects of the arts in the Summer, Easter and Christmas holidays

ART, MEDIA AND DESIGN SUMMER SCHOOL

For students wanting to apply to higher education for Art, Design  and Media there is a summer school held at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. They will also give advice on how to present the best portfolio. See Ms Borton for an application form. See website: http://www.rave.ac.uk

 

GAP YEARS/WORK EXPERIENCE/INTERNSHIPS

Year Out Group – Aventure offer challenging and inspiring volunteer projects from 3 weeks to five months – ideal for those who don’t want a full gap year but would like to undertake a worthwhile summer project. Opportunities exist in teaching, sports coaching, community work and conservation in Africa, Asia and Latin America. More info at www.aventure.co.uk.

Deloitte Scholar Scheme offers 30-week placements in financial services for suitably qualified applicants.

 Further information also available at www.deloitte.co.uk/scholars/meet-us.cfm

PriceWaterhouseCoopers 1NS1GHT Days offer a useful way for students to explore gap year, summer internship and career opportunities with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. 1NS1GHT Days in this area are listed in the Taster Days section above. For more information and online registration go to www.pwc.com/uk/careers.

The Year in Industry offers the Y-in-I Combo which enables students to undertake a work placement combined with a choice of an expedition, voluntary work abroad, a conservation project or a Summer Camp in either the USA or China. More info at http://www.yini.org.uk/

International Academy offers professional instructor training courses worldwide (ski, snowboard or scuba diving instructor) with internationally recognised qualifications. More at www.theinternationalacademy.com

Sport Lived - Explore the world through sport in Australia and New Zealand. Gap year opportunities for students to play and/or coach sport overseas. More information at www.sportlived.co.uk.

Travellers Worldwide

Travellers Worldwide is a leading international provider of voluntary placements, work experience internships and study abroad courses overseas.

http://www.travellersworldwide.com/

WWOOF  Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms In return for help on organic farms volunteers receive free accommodation and food. Ask Ms Hunter about this organisation as she has had many trips with them. http://www.wwoof.org/

The Brokerage

The Brokerage is a charitable organisation working in partnership with City employers to create a pathway to the City for young residents of London’s inner-city boroughs. They can help you find paid internships in city firms

http://www.thebrokerage.org.uk/

Camp America an opportunity to spend the summer in USA living and working http://www.campamerica.co.uk

Bank of England

The Bank of England offers gap year opportunities in their banking services area  giving firsthand experience of the banking processes of a major financial institution.

http://www.bankofenglandjobs.co.uk/opportunities/gap-year-internships/gap-year/

 

 

 

 

 

 

USEFUL ONLINE RESOURCES

• www.accessprofessions.com - register online to receive daily alerts to opportunities for work experience, taster courses, open days, summer schools etc.

• www.unionview.com – virtual tours of most UK universities, with sections on campus, teaching, accommodation, extra-curricular and so on.

• www.prospectusuk.com: use this link to order up to 10 university prospectuses at once from a single site. A great way to simplify your university research
• www.allaboutlaw.co.uk: A new website offering everything you need to know about a career in law, as well as advice from law professionals and employers, and law students past and present.

• www.yougofurther.co.uk: Access to tailored information on courses, institutions and information from universities and colleges. Also, newsletters, the “YouCan” magazine and a free shopping discount card.

• www.opendays.com: Listing of university and subject open days by name or by date etc, and includes an online open day booking facility. The site also has direct links to all the university websites.

• www.unistats.com: Compares UK universities and the courses they offer, with rankings by subject. Also includes student views on universities and useful tips on short-listing which universities to apply for.

• www.studentbook.org: An independent guide to British universities exposing the vital nitty gritty details. Written by current university students, it gives the inside track on what university life is really like.

• www.studentcash.org.uk/ informative financial guides for students, parents and staff.

• www.notgoingtouni.com information on opportunities in further education, vocational training, distance learning and employment as viable alternatives to university.

• http://www.push.co.uk/ an independent guide to UK universities, student life, gap years, open days, student finance and all things studentish.
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